What has Kannur in store for travellers? Lets find out...

The summer vacation is nearing the end. A short trip to the pleasant hills, woods and the sea would be a perfect culmination to the holidays. Kannur offers us more than what we’ve often heard of. Palakkayamthattu, Vayalapra, Vellikkeel, Choottad beach and lot more. When you come back after visiting these places, everyone will surely ask, where were these spots before?

When someone asks about the tourist spots of Kannur, everyone will certainly think of Paithalmala and the forts of Thalassery and even the snake park. But there are also other places like Vayalapra and Palakkayamthattu that not many know of, which are made famous now, thanks to social media. District Tourism Promotion centres have made places into tourist-friendly.

Drive in Muzhuppilangad

Muzhuppilangad beach is Asia’s biggest and the only drive-in beach in Kerala. You can have fun driving for about 6 km in the beach. This place lies 1 km far from the Kannur- Thalassery National Highway. 16 km away from Kannur and 8 km far from Thalassery.

Palakkayamthattu, the thief of hearts

Do you want to go trekking and stay the night at the top of a hill? Palakkayam Thattu in Naduvil panchayath is the place for this. This place is situated in Western Ghats above 3500 feet above the sea level. You can see the Parassinikadavu Muthappan temple and Kannur airport from here. The spot opened by DTPC, has been developed without hindering the natural beauty of the place. There is cafeteria, toilets, view towers, solar lights, adventure game zones etc. Holiday rentals are also available which are given for stay from evening 5 to the next day morning 11. (Phone: 9496421208)

Fog filled Paithalmala

Paithalmala (Vaithalmala) is a hill rich with medicinal herbs and rare small animals. Get ready be amazed by the Paithalkund and Ezharakund waterfalls. Paithalmala is situated 4500 feet above the sea level over an area of 4124 acres, surrounded by forest. Spread across the Western Ghats in the Kerala-Karnataka boundary, the trekking is something that you shouldn’t miss. If one travels from the Kannur airport through Chalod- Srikandapuram- Naduvil for 59 km, you can reach here. Facilities for tourists are arranged near the Ezharakund waterfalls. There are resorts and hotels by DTPC and other private institutions.

Spend some time in Kanjirakolli

One of the major tourist spots in Kannur is Kanjirakolli. Alakapuri waterfalls and Sasippara waterfalls which gives a direct view of the Kanjirakolli are the main attractions. This year, forest department renovated the area spending 25 lakhs. One can reach here by travelling 45 km through Mattannur-Iritty- Manikkadavu, 34 km through Mattannur-Irikkoor-Srikandapuram route. It is approximately 45 km from Kannur. Various resorts and tasty food awaits the tourists here. (Phone: 8281810365)

Live Waterfalls

You don’t have to climb mountains and hills just to see a natural waterfall. Just reach the spot set up by DTPC near Chathamala- Paithalmala, below the Ezharakund waterfalls at the Chathamala. When you turn to Chathamala road from Kudiyanmala-Pottamplavu road, you can see solar lights setup near the road. The two rivers which originate from Paithalmala join here. The spot, which spans over half an acre, has platforms and seating arrangements along with places to change clothes.

Choottad​ beach, Vellikkeel….

Puthiyangadi Choottad is a place situated near the valleys of Ezhimala and filled with windy trees and greenery. There are facilities for seafaring here. The Choottad beach tourism programme was completed spending Rs 91.2 lakh. There are rain shelters, pavilion, walkways, seating arrangement and toilets. Vellikkel eco-tourism area, one of the major tourist spot of Anthoor corporation, is rich with bio-diversity. The night travel amidst the pathway across the waterbodies is a unique and exquisite experience. There is also boating facility.

Not-so-boring Madayippara

Madayippara clads a different outfit every season. Green during the rainy season and beige during the summers. If you want to see a bio-diverse place and somewhere with historical monuments in one go, Madayippara is the place for you. 250 types of plants, more than a 100 types of butterflies, 43 types of dragonflies, numerous flowers, Jew pond, Madayikkavu, Vadukunda Siva temple, Madayi mosque, CSI church…. the list goes on.

Travel through sea at Vayalapra

Vayalapra estuary is magnificent with mangroves and migratory birds. Bird observatories, children’s park, seating arrangements, swings, cafes, toilets, pedal boating service, street lights are arranged here. District Tourism Promotion Council has also made facilities for boating and kayaking. Just a walk through the walkway across the Vayalapra backwaters is enough for enjoyment. Across the river awaits activities like kids’ boating, simulator driving, climbing, snooker etc. Turn to Vayalapra from Ramapuram through the Pilathara- Pazhayangadi road.

No Plastic

For a long time, in order to visit a water theme park, people had to travel to Kakkanad or Athirappilly. But now the water theme parks of Kannur are ready with vacation packages. If you spend some bucks, one whole of day of entertainment is ready. One thing to remember is to avoid plastic. Take only eco-friendly things with you. Burning stuff from the forest carelessly, disturbing the wild animals, collecting forest products, entering the sea and waterfalls in a dangerous way etc. are not entertained. One should strictly follow the instructions of the authorities.

Get to know Aralam

If you travel via Iritty from Kannur, Thalassery, Thalipparambu for 65 kms you will reach Aralam wild life sanctuary. Travel into the shades of big trees for 15 kms past the main gates and along the way you can enjoy Meenmutty, Vavachi waterfalls. Aralam farm shares borders with Brahmagiri wildlife sanctuary of Karnataka and Kudak forest area. If luck favours you, there is even a chance of seeing wild animals and rare plants. There is a rest house which works under forest department. (Phone: 0490 2413160)

Fathom the forts

The Kannur fort, also known as the Saint Angelus fort is situated only two kilometres away from Kannur city. Travel for 1 km from here, you’ll reach the palace of Arakkal dynasty and the Arakkal museum. Travel two kilometres from here, you reach the Payyambalam beach. You can walk safely through the Payyambalam walkway along the beach after its renovation works are done. The Thalassery fort, built by the British in 1750, can be reached by walking from Thalassery old bus stand. The Overbury's Folly, which gives a spectacular view of the sea is nearby. These are places for tourists who wish not to go far from the city.

Parassinikadavu snake park

If you want to see a king cobra in an air conditions cage or a tree snake, make sure you visit Parassinikadavu snake park. Travel for about 16 kms from Kannur. There will be a class about the life of snakes by the demonstrator. (Phone: 0497 2780738)